NOR NORWAY - BY THE GOVERNMENT OF NORWAY - COUNTRY CHAPTER - UNHCR

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          NORWAY
BY THE GOVERNMENT OF NORWAY
Country Chapters - UNHCR Resettlement Handbook

Norway Overview
Resettlement programme since: ad              Selection Missions:            Dossier Submissions:
hoc from 1945, refugees since 1970’s, Yes                                    Yes
annual quota since 1980’s

Resettlement Admission Targets:
Admission targets for UNHCR submissions: Currently the annual Norwegian
Resettlement Quota is 3000. Priority is given to UNHCR referrals
Non-UNHCR submissions- no specific target. Cases referred by the following may also be
considered: Ministry of Foreign Affairs; International Criminal Courts with which Norway has
witness resettlement agreements; Norwegian PEN, where the applicant will be part of the Cities of
Refuge Network; Norwegian NGOs with presence in areas where UNHCR is not represented or
does not have a mandate to refer the person for resettlement

Regional Allocations:

Currently our main regional focus is in Africa and the Middle East and North Africa regions. We also
have some resettlement activity in the Asia and Pacific region

Sub-quota features:

Designated sub-quota/acceptance for:                     Description, additional comments:
       Emergency resettlement procedures              The emergency quota slots are included in the
                                                         unallocated quota. Mostly dossier basis
                                                       submissions. Includes expedited processing
                                                                      procedures.

                                 Medical cases          The number of accepted medical cases are
                                                     deducted from other sub-quotas. Only the person
                                                     with medical needs is counted towards this quota.

                            Unallocated quota       Unallocated slots in total including any emergency
                                                        cases. Mostly dossier basis submissions.

                            Prioritized profiles Priority is always given to Women-at-risk cases if
                                                 they otherwise meet the criteria. LGBTIQ+ persons
                                                 will be prioritized if they are vulnerable due to their
                                                 sexual orientation. This can be single persons of
                                                 both sexes, and/or couples/families.

                                                   Religious minorities fleeing persecution on account
                                                   of their religion will be given priority.
                    Unaccompanied children          A limited number of persons can be accepted. The
                                                      specific number may vary from one to the next
                                                           which is specified in the annual quota.

       Family Reunion (within programme)                              No specific quota

                                           Other Norway has specific funds available for operational
                                                     resettlement support and various UNHCR
                                                               resettlement projects.

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1. Resettlement Policy
1.1 Description of the country’s resettlement policy
    Norway recognizes and supports resettlement as an important instrument of international
    protection and as a durable solution to the plight of refugees.
    Norway offers resettlement opportunities within annual quotas. The size of the annual
    quota is set by the Parliament following proposals made by the Ministry of Justice and
    Public Security.
    The Ministry of Justice and Public Security allocates the annual quota taking into account
    the advice of UNHCR and Norwegian government agencies, notably the Ministry of
    Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Norwegian Directorate of
    Immigration and the Directorate of Integration and Diversity. The Norwegian
    Directorate of Immigration and the Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity
    resettle refugees within this quota in close cooperation with UNHCR.
    Cases submitted under specific sub-quotas should reflect a fair and balanced
    representation of the relevant refugee populations. Possibilities for integration in Norway
    will be considered on an aggregated level, including which skills refugees possess.

    Sub quotas are allocated to specific refugee groups taking into account:
          •   UNHCR’s assessment of resettlement needs for refugee groups
          •   Host countries need for burden sharing.
          •   Possibilities for multinational and common European efforts to solve refugee
              situations, including possible improvements for refugees who are not offered
              resettlement.
          •   Experienced cooperation with UNHCR country offices, including capabilities to
              submit cases that meet Norwegian resettlement criteria and profiles
          •   Assessment of vulnerabilities among refugee groups.
          •   Municipal capacity in Norway to provide services that address specific needs of
              refugee groups.
    The resettlement programme operates in close cooperation with UNHCR. Norway gives
    priority to referrals made by UNHCR.
    Norway may also release funding for resettlement projects. Norway currently contributes
    with measures that strengthens UNHCR’s capacity to submit cases for resettlement. In
    addition, Norway contributes with funding in support of operational costs relating to
    selection missions.
    The resettlement places available on annual quotas may be applied flexibly within three-
    year periods according to further procedures given by the Ministry of Justice and Public
    Security. This allows for advance use of quota places from the following year within three-
    year periods. If annual ceilings are not reached, unused places may be transferred to the
    following year.

1.2 Ministries and Departments responsible for resettlement policy
    The Ministry of Justice and Public Security allocates the quota through consultations with
    the Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the basis of
    information, judgments, and suggestions made by the Norwegian Directorate of
    Immigration and the Directorate of Integration and Diversity.

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1.3 Process for deciding the annual resettlement quota and it’s composition,
    including the timelines for the process
     The process leading to the decision of the following year’s resettlement quota starts in the
     spring. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration and the Directorate of Integration and
     Diversity share resettlement experiences from the previous year and the first six months of
     the current year with the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. This report includes an
     evaluation of:
            •    Experienced cooperation with UNHCR country offices, including capacity to
                 submit sufficient cases that meet the Norwegian criteria for recognition of
                 refugee status and the Norwegian resettlement criteria/ profiles
            •    Experienced support from Norwegian Missions abroad.
            •    Experiences with settlement and introductory programme for already resettled
                 refugee groups
            •    A recommendation of whether these groups should be offered continued
                 resettlement, including whether the numbers for the same groups should either
                 be increased or reduced.
            •    A judgment of needs for health services, specifically for medical cases.
     The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration and the Directorate of Integration and Diversity
     invite NGO’s to present their views on which refugee groups they think should be offered
     resettlement. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration shares a report with the Ministry of
     Justice and Public Security. Simultaneously, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration
     suggests the allocation of next year’s quota, after consultations with the Directorate of
     Integration and Diversity.
     The Ministry of Justice and Public Security follows up the reports and suggestions above
     with consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and
     Research and UNHCR. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security shares a preliminary
     allocation of next year’s quota with the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration by the 1st of
     November. This enables the two directorates to start planning next year’s resettlement
     process. Finally, by mid- December, the Parliament decides the state budget, including the
     total size of next year’s quota. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security decides the
     allocation of the quota. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration immediately notifies
     UNHCR. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security sends a letter to UNHCR and IOM
     about the quota composition.

2. Criteria for Recognition of Refugee Status Eligibility and Asylum
2.1 National legislation defining refugee status eligibility
     In accordance with the law of 2008 nr 35 concerning the entry of foreign nationals into the
     Kingdom and their presence in the realm paragraph 28, a foreign national who is in the
     realm or at the Norwegian border shall upon application be recognized as a refugee if the
     foreign national:
            a)   Has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion,
                 nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is
                 outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is
                 unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.1 Or,

     1 The reader will note that wording from the refugee convention has been incorporated into Norwegian national
     legislation. This applies to both §§ 28 and 31 of the law of 2008 nr 35 (the Immigration act).

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          b)   Is at risk of being subjected to the death sentence, torture, or other inhuman or
               degrading acts or punishment upon return to his/her home country.
    Status determination is based on the criteria presented above and in accordance with the
    Norwegian Directorate of Immigration’s asylum-practice regarding the specific country in
    question.

2.2 Additional criteria
    Norway will primarily only accept cases for resettlement where the applicant is in need of
    international protection as stated above. However, additional criteria are also taken into
    consideration when assessing resettlement cases, such as for example Norway’s
    participation in broader strategic resettlement programs.

3. Criteria for Resettlement
3.1 Refugee Resettlement Eligibility Criteria
    Norway gives priority to cases referred by UNHCR. Cases referred by the following agents
    may also be considered:
          •    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (embassies)
          •    International criminal courts with which Norway has witness resettlement
               agreements
          •    Norwegian PEN, where the applicant will be part of the Cities of Refuge Network;
               or
          •    Norwegian NGO’s with presence in areas where UNHCR is not represented or
               does not have a mandate to refer the person for resettlement.

3.2 Admissibility Criteria
    S/he must meet the criteria in accordance with the law of 2008 nr 35 (the Immigration act)
    paragraph 28. Relevant points are the refugee’s reason for leaving his/her country of
    origin, possible risks if the refugee returns to his/her country of origin and the security
    situation in the first country of asylum. UNHCR’s evaluation of the refugee claim forms the
    basis for these considerations.
    When assessing the protection needs of cases submitted for resettlement, we will primarily
    only accept cases that would have been granted refugee status if they were to seek
    asylum from within Norway. They are also subject to the same credibility assessments as
    applicants seeking protection in Norway.
    To uphold family unity in exceptional cases, persons not in need of international protection,
    may be granted permits on humanitarian grounds. These persons must document their
    identity through a national passport.
    S/he must be in need of resettlement: Prospects for other durable solutions should be
    considered in the short term as well as in a longer perspective.
    Exclusion: Where the exclusion clauses as incorporated in the law of 2008 nr 35 paragraph
    31 apply, resettlement shall, as a rule, not be offered. Exclusion will be considered if there
    are serious reasons for considering that the foreign national:
          (a) Has committed a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against humanity,
              as defined in the international instruments drawn up to make provision in respect
              of such crimes
          (b) Has committed a serious non-political crime outside the country of refuge prior to
              his admission to that country as a refugee; or

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          (c) Has been guilty of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United
              Nations.
    Fundamental national interest (national security): The Norwegian Directorate of
    Immigration cooperates with the Norwegian Police Security Service. The Norwegian
    Directorate of Immigration may consult the Norwegian Police Security Service concerning
    cases that might raise national security concerns. Norway will not accept persons who may
    constitute a threat to national security.
    If a case concerns fundamental national interests or might affect Norway’s foreign
    relations, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration has a duty to report to the Ministry of
    Justice and Public Security.
    Unsuitable behaviour and attitudes:
    Individuals who have displayed unsuitable behaviour such as consistent criminal conduct,
    or who hold views that are contrary to Norwegian values, will not be offered resettlement.

    Prioritized case profiles:
    Family perspective: Norway gives priority to families with children under the age of 18.
    Female perspective: Norway gives priority to women above men, especially cases
    including women and girls at risk. However, we will not give priority to families with minor
    girls above minor boys. The female perspective does not mean that we will not offer
    resettlement to men with a strong need for protection.
    Sexual orientation (LGBTIQ+): Norway gives priority to persons who are vulnerable
    because of their gender identity, or sexual orientation.
    Religious minorities: Religious minorities fleeing persecution on account of their religion will
    be given priority.

    Other considerations:
    Settlement services: The settlement services’ ability to settle quota refugees will be
    affected by the refugees’ needs and individual municipalities might sometimes have trouble
    offering adequate services for those being resettled. This might therefore have to be
    considered for individuals with special needs.
    The ability of individual municipalities to receive refugees with certain profiles, for example
    unaccompanied minors, medical cases or single refugees, may vary. Therefore, the
    Norwegian Directorate of Immigration will provide UNHCR with specific requests in
    accordance with the capacities of the municipalities.

4. Resettlement Allocations/Processing Priorities
4.1 Resettlement allocations including sub-quotas
    The main quota is allocated to refugee situations where selection missions are carried out.
    Norway has three other sub-quotas as well: medical cases, emergency cases, and the
    unallocated sub-quota. (See overview section, sub-section features for further details).

4.2 Processing priorities
    Norway applies a gender focus and gives priority for women and girls as well as families.
    Housing capacities are often limited for single refugees due to lack of a sufficient number
    of smaller apartments in the municipalities, and because most asylum seekers coming to

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    Norway are single males. Therefore, particularly single male refugees, who have been
    accepted after seeking asylum in Norway, at times must wait for prolonged periods in
    reception centers before settlement.
    To balance these housing problems with the resettlement priority to women at risk, we can
    only resettle a limited number of single males.

4.3 Case assessment modalities
    Due to the covid-19 pandemic The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration has been
    required to use remote interviewing in order to meet our annual target numbers, since
    travel restrictions made it impossible to carry out physical selection missions.
    Although remote interviews in our view can never fully replace physical interviews, they
    have in addition to enabling us to conduct “remote” missions, also become a useful tool
    when assessing cases submitted on dossier basis. Whereas before we have not been able
    to interview dossier cases, we do now increasingly carry out interviews for dossier
    submissions when needed.
    This means that we now have three case assessment modalities:
       •   Assessment of cases where we conduct physical interviews, typically when carrying
           out selection missions
       •   Assessment of cases using by means of remote interviews, applied both for
           “remote” selection missions as well as for dossier submissions when deemed
           necessary
       •   Assessment of cases based solely on the documents which have been submitted
           together with the case

4.4 Non-UNHCR allocations, and the role of referral organizations
    Norway gives priority to UNHCR referrals and does not have allocated sub-quotas for non-
    UNHCR referrals. Non-UNHCR referrals are processed under the unallocated quota.
    There is a formal limitation to referrals from NGO’s. The requirement is that UNHCR is not
    present in the area or does not have a mandate to refer the case for resettlement. The
    NGO must have a presence in the area.
    Norway may accept cases referred by Norwegian PEN where the applicant will take part in
    the Cities of Refuge Network. These cases can be accepted independently of whether
    UNHCR has presence or mandate in the country.

5. Submission and Processing via Dossier Selection
5.1 Dossier submission policies
    Norway accepts referrals for resettlement on dossier basis to all our sub quotas. It is
    however, preferable that the resettlement candidates are interviewed. Therefore, Norway
    conducts interviews in most cases referred under the specific quotas for nationality groups.
    The interviews are conducted during resettlement missions (see separate section). In
    practical terms, dossier cases tend therefore to be accepted on the emergency, medical
    and unallocated quotas.

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5.2 Case documentation
    The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration requests that all identity documents in the
    refugees’ possession are scanned and included in the referral. To obtain status as a
    refugee, the identity of persons included in the case must be documented. However, in the
    absence of documentation, the identity given by the refugee to UNHCR is deemed to be
    correct.
    The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration needs to be provided with detailed material facts
    of the case, as well as both inclusion and exclusion evaluations. Medical cases must be
    supplemented with a typed medical assessment form (MAF).

5.3 Routing of submissions
    Submissions should be made directly to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration at
    resettlement@udi.no. However, as from 2018 Norway has installed a FTP-server to
    receive submissions from the UNHCR. UNHCR should therefore aim to upload all
    submission, except for Emergency cases, to our server. Cases uploaded to our server
    should be placed in a designated case folder, including a XML-form as well as the case
    documents. Each submission should be followed by an email to resettlement@udi.no,
    explaining the number of cases and persons uploaded to the server. Some UNHCR Offices
    submit cases using a password protected “Sharepoint” link, and UDI is in that way given
    access to the cases.

5.4 Processing times
    From receiving the dossiers to decision:
    The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration makes the decisions in normal or urgent
    resettlement priority cases within three weeks from referral. For emergency cases the
    decision is taken within 48 hours. If the case includes foreign policy concerns or issues
    relating to national security, the case will be subject to political scrutiny and the decision
    will depend on involvement from the ministerial level of government. UNHCR is informed
    about all decisions by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration.
    From decision to departure:
    All accepted refugees are normally given an entry visa to Norway valid for six months. In
    exceptional circumstances the validity of the entry visa can be extended. Within this time
    frame (for normal and urgent priority cases), receiving municipalities will decide when they
    are ready to receive the refugees. Travel requests are sent to IOM based on information
    given from the receiving municipality in each case.
    In emergency cases, the Directorate of Integration and Diversity, finds a receiving
    municipality for the refugees within 48 hours of the decision to accept the case. As soon as
    the receiving municipality has been identified, the travel request is sent in to facilitate
    departure as soon as possible.

5.5 Recourses, appeals
    There is no right of appeal regarding the decision to grant or deny entry permit for cases
    processed under the quota for refugees. However, status determination for quota refugees
    may be appealed to the Immigration Appeals Board after the refugee has taken up
    residence in Norway.

5.6 Other details regarding dossier submissions
    The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration notifies UNHCR about the decisions. The
    Norwegian Foreign Service mission in the country of asylum is informed about accepted
    cases. Through a copy of the travel request to IOM, the Norwegian Foreign Service
    mission is instructed to issue emergency travel documents and visas.

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6. Submissions and Processing via In Country Selection
6.1 Selection mission policies
    Selection missions normally include officers from both the Norwegian Directorate of
    Immigration, the Directorate of Integration and Diversity as well as The Norwegian
    Immigration Police. The delegations are led by an officer from the Norwegian Directorate of
    Immigration.
    UNHCR submits cases for consideration prior to the actual mission, for pre-screening
    purposes. The delegation conducts interviews based on the pre-screening. Some cases
    might be rejected already during pre-screening, and some cases might be accepted on
    dossier basis.
    The refugees usually undergo three separate interviews, one with an officer from each
    directorate and one with the Police. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration will focus on
    the need for protection and the Police will focus on the verification of identity, while the
    Directorate of Integration and Diversity will focus on topics such as language skills and
    education. The interview conducted by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration is used
    for assessing the case. The Directorate of Integration and Diversity has a twofold purpose
    with their interview; advise UDI whether receiving municipalities can offer adequate
    services and collect information in order to start the process leading to successful
    integration.
    All decisions are made by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration after concluding the
    mission. The Directorate of Integration and Diversity provides advice to the Norwegian
    Directorate of Immigration regarding the capacity municipalities have for receiving specific
    caseloads, for instance persons in need of medical care. Receiving capacity in Norway
    may therefore influence the selection of the individual cases. The results from the mission
    are conveyed to UNHCR, who then presents the decisions to the refugees.
    When the decisions have been made, the Directorate of Integration and Diversity makes
    settlement arrangements with Norwegian municipalities for each family unit accepted for
    resettlement to Norway. The municipalities then prepare practicalities for receiving the
    refugees. When they are ready, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration is notified
    through the Directorate of Integration and Diversity, and the Norwegian Directorate of
    Immigration issues the travel request to IOM.

6.2 Case documentation
    The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration requests that all identity documents in the
    refugees’ possession are listed and are included in the referral, Section 9 of the RRF. To
    obtain status as refugee, the identity of persons included in the case should be
    documented. In the absence of documentation, the identity given by the refugee to UNHCR
    is deemed to be correct. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration needs to be provided
    with detailed material facts of the case, as well as both inclusion and exclusion evaluations.
    Medical cases must be supplemented with a typed medical assessment form (MAF) unless
    otherwise has been agreed with Norway prior to the submission. The Norwegian
    Directorate of Immigration furthermore requests all refugees to present identity documents
    during the interview.

6.3 Routing of submissions
    As from 2018 Norway has installed a FTP-server to receive submissions from the UNHCR.
    UNHCR should therefore upload all submission, except for Emergency cases, to our
    server. Cases uploaded to our server should be placed in a designated case folder,
    including a XML-form as well as the case documents. Each submission should be followed
    by an email to resettlement@udi.no, explaining the number of cases and persons
    uploaded to the server. For Emergency cases UNHCR should continue submitting the

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    cases to resettlement@udi.no. Some UNHCR Offices submit cases using a password
    protected “Sharepoint” link, and UDI is in that way given access to the cases.

6.4 Processing time
    From reception of cases to selection missions:
    The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration requests UNHCR to refer all the cases at least
    four weeks before the delegation conducting the selection mission departs from Norway. A
    pre-screening process is initiated, resulting in a list of cases selected for interviews. Some
    cases might be rejected in the pre- screening phase. The list of cases accepted for
    interviews is finalized before departure from Norway. The exact dates for exchange of the
    lists are agreed upon with UNHCR prior to each mission.
    In some circumstances, we have had to deviate from the above timeline due to practical
    challenges such as when physical selection missions have been impossible or referrals of
    cases have been delayed.
    From selection mission to decision:
    Decisions are finalized and permits are given within three weeks after the selection mission
    has been completed. Some cases may, however, remain pending longer due to the need
    for further documentation or if there are issues concerning national security and/or foreign
    policy. If the case includes foreign policy concerns or issues relating to national security,
    the case will be subject to political scrutiny and the decision will depend on involvement
    from the ministerial level of government. UNHCR is informed about all decisions by the
    Norwegian Directorate of Immigration.
    From decision to departure:
    All accepted cases are given an entry permit to Norway normally valid for six months.
    Within this time frame (for normal and urgent priority cases), receiving municipalities will
    decide when they are ready to receive the refugees. The Norwegian Directorate of
    Immigration sends travel request to IOM based on information given from the receiving
    municipality in each case. The average time from decision to departure is normally 4
    months. Given that selected refugees are settled throughout Norway in numerous
    municipalities and the municipalities decide when they can receive them within the time
    span of six months, they travel to Norway in smaller groups.
    Due to difficulties that may occur with exit arrangements or formalities in the country of
    asylum, departure is sometimes prolonged. The entry permit may be extended beyond six
    months under such rare circumstances. This has been the case during the Covid-19
    pandemic, where the entry permit has been extended to 12 months.
    Cases selected through selection missions, may also be processed as emergency cases
    and in accordance to the emergency procedures for such cases. Although the case has not
    been flagged as an emergency case by UNHCR, the delegation may decide to process the
    case as such if emergency protection or medical needs are detected during the interview.

6.5 Recourses, appeals
    There is no right of appeal regarding the decision to grant or deny entry permit for cases
    processed under the quota for refugees. However, status determination for quota refugees
    may be appealed to the Immigration Appeals Board after the refugee has taken up
    residence in Norway.

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6.6 Other details regarding selection missions
    The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration notifies UNHCR about the decisions. The
    Norwegian Foreign Service mission in the country of asylum is informed about accepted
    cases and is, through a copy of the travel request to IOM, instructed to issue emergency
    travel documents and visas.
    The refugees who have been accepted, participate in a cultural orientation programme
    about Norway before departure. IOM Oslo is currently contracted by the Directorate of
    Integration and Diversity to hold the course in the country of asylum. Bicultural trainers,
    who live in Norway, are used for the training. The course is held for both adults and
    children above the age of eight, and the duration of the course is 3-4 days.

7. Emergency Cases/Urgent Cases
7.1 Policies for receiving emergency and/or urgent case submissions
    Norway offers accelerated processing in situations where a refugee’s life or freedom
    depends on emergency resettlement. Refugees may be considered for emergency
    resettlement when they for example face immediate threats of deportation, immediate
    physical threat to security or undue detention. No geographical or national limitations apply
    to this category. Emergency referrals are a specific sub-quota. If the case is flagged under
    another sub-quota before a selection mission, it may nevertheless be processed under the
    emergency sub quota if emergency protection or emergency medical needs are detected
    during the interview.
    The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration has similar processing policies for urgent and for
    normal cases. Both dossier cases and cases submitted before resettlement missions may
    have normal or urgent priority.

7.2 Case documentation for emergency cases
    The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration requests that all identity documents in the
    refugees’ possession are scanned and included in the referral. To obtain status as a
    refugee, the identity of persons included in the case should be documented. However, in
    the absence of documentation, the identity given by the refugee to UNHCR is deemed to
    be correct. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration needs to be provided with detailed
    material facts of the case, as well as both inclusion and exclusion evaluations. Medical
    cases must be supplemented with a typed medical assessment form (MAF).
    If the case is processed during a selection mission, we furthermore request all refugees to
    present identity documents during the interview.

7.3 Routing of submissions for emergency and/or urgent cases
    Submissions should be made directly to The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration at
    resettlement@udi.no.

7.4 Processing time for emergency cases
    From reception of dossier to decision:
    The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration gives emergency cases the highest processing
    priority of all applications for resettlement, and normally decisions are made within 48
    hours. If the case includes foreign policy concern or issues relating to national security, the
    case must be subject to political scrutiny and the decision will depend on involvement from
    the Ministerial level of government. UNHCR will be informed about this, and the directorate
    will ask UNHCR whether UNHCR would like Norway to continue with processing the case
    or withdraw the case. UNHCR is informed about all decisions made by the Norwegian
    Directorate of Immigration.

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    From decision to departure:
    Since the Directorate of Integration and Diversity gives settlement of emergency cases the
    highest processing priority of all settlement cases it will make an agreement with a
    receiving municipality within 48 hours after the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration has
    made a positive decision. As soon as the receiving municipality has been identified, the
    travel request is sent for departure as soon as possible.

7.5 Processing time for urgent cases
    Processing time for urgent cases is the same as for normal cases.
    From reception of dossier to decision:
    For resettlement cases with both urgent and normal priority, the Norwegian Directorate of
    Immigration makes decisions within three weeks from referral. If the case includes foreign
    policy concerns or issues relating to national security, the case will be subject to political
    scrutiny and the decision will depend on involvement from the Ministerial level of
    government. UNHCR is informed about all decisions by the Norwegian Directorate of
    Immigration.
    From decision to departure:
    All accepted cases are given an entry permit to Norway valid for six months, which can be
    extended if needed. Within this time frame (for normal and urgent priority cases), receiving
    municipalities will decide when they are ready to receive the refugees. The Norwegian
    Directorate of Immigration sends a travel request to IOM based on information given from
    the receiving municipality in each case. The average time from decision to departure is
    normally three to four months.

7.6 Special considerations regarding emergency and/or urgent cases
    The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration notifies UNHCR about the decisions. The
    Norwegian Foreign Service mission in the country of asylum is informed about accepted
    cases and is, through a copy of the travel request to IOM, instructed to issue emergency
    travel documents and visas.
    UNHCR should specify whether medical or security issues form the reason for emergency
    priority. If the reason is medical, the refugee with medical needs will be allocated under the
    medical quota. Family members included in the case will be allocated under the
    emergency quota.

8. Special Categories/Special Needs
8.1 Sub-quotas dedicated to specific needs cases
    Norway has a sub quota for refugees with medical needs. For these cases, the
    resettlement criteria that are outlined in section 3 are applied. Furthermore, Norway applies
    exactly the same criteria as those outlined under 4.1.1 in the UNHCR Resettlement
    Handbook when assessing the severity of the health condition and possible improvement
    after resettlement. In order for refugees with medical needs to be considered they must
    have good prospects of recovery after receiving medical treatment in Norway. Available
    medical services in Norway are examined before decisions are made. The case will usually
    be rejected if required specialist treatment is not available. The Norwegian Directorate of
    Immigration cooperates closely with Oslo University Hospital regarding the capacity of the
    Norwegian health service, the individual’s prospects after treatment in Norway etc.
    The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration has a continuous dialogue with the Directorate
    of Integration and Diversity, whereby the former receives information about the capacities
    of Norwegian municipalities to settle refugees with health problems. An acceptance
    depends on whether the Directorate of Integration and Diversity can make an agreement
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      with a municipality to settle the case. The receiving municipality will have to decide whether
      it can offer sufficient follow-up.
      It is crucial that UNHCR submits a complete, transparent, and recently updated typed
      medical report in all referrals concerning refugees with special needs.

9. Medical Requirements
9.1 Screening procedures, including costs
      The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration may request that UNHCR provides a medical
      examination before a decision is made if the result of the examination is crucial for the
      decision. The examination must result in a complete and transparent typed medical report.
      The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration will not cover these costs.

9.2 Health criteria and inadmissibility factors
      The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration has a continuous dialogue with a medical
      adviser at Oslo University Hospital, whereby the directorate is advised about the
      Norwegian health service capacity to treat a given medical problem.
      As mentioned under section 8.1, the case will usually be rejected if the required specialized
      treatment needed is not available. Availability of health services may vary. At times there
      are capacity problems within the fields of psychology and psychiatry. As a consequence, it
      is often not possible to provide the sufficient services that would be necessary to treat
      traumatized refugees.
      Apart from this, there are no specific health criteria.

9.3   Counselling provided
      The Directorate of Integration and Diversity will forward essential information about a
      refugee’s health to the municipal health service for follow-up. Necessary counselling will be
      provided. It is prescribed by law that every refugee must take a tuberculosis test within one
      week of arrival to Norway.

9.4 Pre-departure treatment, including costs
      If active tuberculosis is discovered, the refugee will have to be treated before departure.
      Other conditions that makes the refugee unfit to travel will be treated if travel must be
      suspended until s/he is fit to travel. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration will cover
      these costs. Pre-embarkation checks are conducted for all refugees before travel.

9.5 Pre-departure examination procedures
      IOM may be requested to conduct medical examinations before departure for refugees
      who have been accepted for resettlement. The purpose is to prepare the municipal health
      service and secure that relevant follow-up can be provided. These examinations may be
      requested for selected cases or for groups. They may encompass specific or general
      examinations. If Norway considers a request for examinations for a group, IOM will be
      asked to give a price estimate in advance.

10. Orientation (pre-departure)
10.1 Pre-departure orientation classes
      The Cultural Orientation Programme (CO) provides pre-departure cultural orientation
      classes for refugees accepted for resettlement to Norway. IOM Norway, in close
      coordination with IOM offices in countries where refugees are temporarily residing,
      organises training sessions for selected target groups of refugees, aged eight years and
      above, on the practicalities of life in Norway. The primary objective of the programme is to

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    promote smoother integration of refugees into the Norwegian society. It prepares them for
    the initial adjustment period after arrival in Norway, aiming to address unrealistic
    expectations and reduce the effects of culture shock. Classes are conducted in the
    refugees' own language in order to maximize effective learning.
    IOM Norway also provides Norwegian municipalities with relevant and current information
    about the refugees and their situation prior to their arrival in Norway, through Country
    Information Seminars.
    Bi-cultural trainers
    The pedagogical basis for the CO programme is the use of bi-cultural trainers. A bi-cultural
    trainer is a person who has an origin or background similar to the refugee group in
    question and who has extensive experience living and working in Norway. The bi-cultural
    trainer speaks the language of the CO participants, thus eliminating the need for an
    interpreter. Similar ethnic and refugee backgrounds and the ability to speak the same
    language facilitates the creation of a trusting and open atmosphere in the classroom. Bi-
    cultural trainers also act as a role model for refugees, as the bi-cultural trainer has personal
    experience with the integration process in Norway, has learned the language and has
    managed to professionally establish themself in Norway.

10.2 Duration, location and funding of sessions
    Each course consists of 25 hours of intensive CO training given over a period of five days
    for adults aged 17 and above. Children aged 8 to 12 years receive two days of CO training,
    for a total of ten hours, while teenagers aged 12 to 16 are provided with three days of CO
    training, for a total of 15 hours. The programme is funded by the Norwegian Directorate of
    Integration and Diversity (IMDi). Other relevant partners are the Norwegian Directorate of
    Immigration, IOM, Norwegian municipalities and UNHCR offices in the training site
    countries.

11. Travel
11.1 Travel booking procedures
    Norway is a donor to IOM and has a close cooperation with IOM regarding all aspects of
    the travel arrangements. IOM arranges travel for refugees accepted for resettlement in
    Norway under the quota.
    The entry permit granted to a refugee when accepting the case is normally valid for six
    months in normal and urgent cases. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration refers the
    case to the Directorate of Integration and Diversity, who is responsible for making an
    agreement with a municipality that will settle the refugee. Within the six-month period, the
    municipality decides when to receive the refugee. The Directorate of Integration and
    Diversity then reports this information to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration. The
    latter then submits a travel request to the IOM office in the country of residence, asking for
    booking according to a period of possible arrival. This period is regulated by the entry visa
    and when the settling municipality can receive the refugee. A copy of the travel request is
    submitted to the Norwegian Foreign Service mission in the country of residence, with an
    instruction to issue emergency travel document (laissez passers) and visa.
    IOM will report to The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration with an Advanced Booking
    Notification (ABN) that shows ports of transit and times of departures and arrivals. The
    Norwegian Directorate of Immigration will notify the receiving municipality about arrival
    time.
    The same procedure is followed in emergency cases. When submitting the travel request,
    we will also notify IOM and the Foreign Service Mission that the case has emergency
    priority.

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11.2 Payment
    Norway has a framework agreement with IOM Oslo. The agreement prescribes the
    cooperation between IOM and the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration regarding travel
    and medical examinations in the context of resettlement, family reunification and
    repatriation of refugees. Travel for all refugees who have been accepted under the annual
    quota is handled by IOM. IOM’s expenses are paid for by the Norwegian Directorate of
    Immigration in accordance with this agreement. The refugees do not have any travelling
    expenses when coming to Norway.

11.3 Travel documents issued
    The Norwegian Foreign Service mission issues emergency travel documents (laissez
    passers) and visas to refugees before departure.

12. Status on Arrival and the Path to Citizenship
12.1 Immigration status on arrival in Norway
    When cases are accepted on dossier basis, the refugee receives an entry permit with
    residence and work permit that is valid for one year. Shortly after arrival the refugee
    receives a status decision that gives the refugee a residence and work permit valid for five
    years from the date of registration with the Norwegian police.
    Refugees that are accepted on the basis of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration’s
    resettlement missions receive a status decision that gives the refugee a residence and
    work permit valid for three years issued prior to his/her entry to Norway.

12.2 Documentation issued, including travel documents
    The Norwegian police issue a registration card after police registration. The refugee is also
    given a national identity number.
    When applying for resettlement, the person also implicitly applies for a travel document. If
    the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration grants refugee status, a travel document is then
    also granted. The travel document is (usually) valid for the same length of time as the
    residence and work permit.
    An applicant may in some cases be granted resettlement without receiving refugee status,
    but based on strong humanitarian considerations instead. In such cases, the Norwegian
    Directorate of Immigration will issue an immigrants’ passport if the applicant’s relationship
    to his/her country of origin is such that the applicant cannot reasonably be expected to
    apply for a national passport, and there are no reasons for denying such a document.

12.3 Process for regularization of status, including requirements and timeframes
    As stated above a refugee accepted for resettlement is given a five-year residence and
    work permit.
    After five years of residence in Norway, the foreign national has, upon application, the right
    to be granted permanent residency if the following requirements are met:

    a) The foreign national has not spent more than ten months outside Norway for the last five
    years he/she has resided in Norway
    b) The foreign national has not committed acts that could initiate expulsion according to
    Norwegian law
    c)The foreign national has completed mandatory Norwegian language training tuition in the
    Norwegian language and social studies and pass the concluding tests, or document that

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     he/she has been granted exemptions by the municipality (The requirement applies if the
     applicant is between the ages of 16 and 67).
     d) The foreign national has sufficient income for the last 12 months and has not
     received social welfare benefits during the last 12 months, or document that he/she is
     exempted (The requirement applies if the applicant are between the ages of 18 and 67) .

12.4 Documents issued to children born after arrival but before naturalization of
     their parents
     Children born after their parents’ arrival and before their naturalization will be issued with a
     registration card, a national identity number and a travel document, if their parents have
     received refugee status/ residence based on humanitarian considerations.

12.5 Details on the requirements, costs and timelines for citizenship
     Any person has a right, upon application, to Norwegian nationality if the applicant at the
     time the administrative decision is made:
           (a) Has provided documentary evidence of or otherwise clearly established his or her
               identity
           (b) Has reached the age of 12
           (c) Is and will remain a resident of the realm
           (d) Fulfils the conditions for permanent residence
           (e) Has spent a total of seven years in the realm during the last ten years, with
               residence or work permits of at least one year’s duration, residence during one or
               more application-processing periods to be included in the seven-year period
           (f) Satisfies the requirement regarding Norwegian language training, knowledge of
               the Norwegian language and the Norwegian society (if the applicant is 18 years
               old or more)
           (g) Has not been sentenced to a penalty or special criminal sanction (if the applicant
               is 15 years old or more)
     The applicant is not entitled to Norwegian nationality if this is contrary to the interests of
     fundamental national interest (national security) or to foreign policy considerations.
     The application for nationality shall be accompanied by a comprehensive certificate of
     good conduct issued by the police. The said certificate shall also show any offences for
     which the applicant has been charged or indicted.
     There are separate rules for children under the age of 18 applying for citizenship. They can
     be granted citizenship if the father or mother of the child has already acquired Norwegian
     citizenship, or if the father or mother is applying for citizenship at the same time as the
     child. For children who are married or registered partners, this does not apply. If the child is
     two years old or more, the child needs to have at least two years of legal residence on
     permits each granted for at least one year.
     It is possible to submit an individual application for citizenship for a child above the age of
     12. The person with the custody rights (usually the mother and/or the father) has to submit
     the application on behalf of the child. The child needs to have at least five years of legal
     residence within the last seven years, on permits each granted for at least one year. Apart
     from that the general requirements apply.
     If the applicant is married to a Norwegian citizen, Norwegian citizenship may be granted
     after five years.
     Processing fees for applications for citizenship will apply for adults, but not for children
     under the age of 18.

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13. Domestic Settlement and Community Services
13.1 Overview of services
     Settlement of refugees in municipalities is managed by the Directorate of Integration and
     Diversity (IMDi).
     The main goal for the settlement of refugees in Norway is to enable refugees to be self-
     reliant as soon as possible. Refugees are settled in all parts of Norway.
     The settlement of refugees is voluntary for municipalities. Upon request from IMDi for
     settlement of selected refugees, local authorities may accept or decline the request. Once
     the municipality has agreed to accept the request, they will be responsible for the further
     integration process of these refugees.
     The municipalities provide the same services to refugees as they do to the rest of the
     population, including public health services, education, housing, vocational training, and
     employment opportunities.
     The municipality will receive an integration subsidy from the central government for each
     refugee they accept to settle, to cover expenses such as housing, education, healthcare
     and welfare. The subsidy is given over a five-year integration period and is an important
     tool for the municipalities in achieving rapid and good settlement.

13.2 Introduction, Orientation, and Integration
     Upon arrival, refugees are received by municipal officials and are immediately
     accompanied to an arranged home or apartment.
     Municipalities are responsible for providing an Introduction Programme for newly arrived
     refugees and their families who will be residing in the municipality. The Introduction
     Programme is provided as soon as possible and at the latest within three months after a
     person is settled in a municipality or after a requirement of participation is presented.
     The Introduction Programme applies to refugees and family members reunited with them,
     in addition to persons granted residence on humanitarian grounds and family members
     reunited with them. Women and men participate equally.
     The Introduction Programme aims to prepare refugees for participation in Norwegian
     working life and society. The participants learn Norwegian language and gain an
     understanding of Norwegian society through the introductory program. Participants will
     receive training and knowledge about Norwegian working life, and formal education if
     needed. In addition, every participant is obliged to participate in an empowerment course,
     and parents are obliged to participate in a parental guidance course.
     Participation in the programme is both a right and an obligation for persons between 18
     and 55 years. Persons between 18 and 67 years old also have a right and an obligation to
     participate in free Norwegian language and social studies classes.
     The programme is full-time. The duration of the program will vary depending on the
     participants' educational background and competence, and the participants' individual
     Program Goal. Refugees without upper secondary education or higher education from
     their home country receive a prolonged program compared to participants with a high
     education level. The program may be extended under certain circumstances.
     The municipality is responsible for preparing an integration plan together with the
     participant. The plan should be based on a completed competence mapping, career
     guidance and an assessment of which elements the participant will benefit from. The plan
     should outline the components of the individually adapted program and the participant’s

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     programme goal. If a person has not completed secondary education, it is possible to
     integrate such full-time education into the introduction program.
     Refugees receive economical support while participating in the introduction program.

13.3 Education
     Education is mandatory for all children between 6 and 16 years of age in Norway. In
     addition, youths between the ages of 16 and 19 have the right to further education. There
     are no school fees for primary and secondary schools in Norway. The same applies to
     most colleges and universities.

13.4 Role of NGOs
     Norwegian NGOs have no legally established responsibilities towards the integration of
     refugees. Many NGOs do, however, contribute voluntarily to the integration process.
     Municipalities have for instance collaborated with NGOs on projects to increase social
     integration, such as the project Refugee Guide, which is made possible by cooperation
     between the Red Cross and the municipality. Norwegian volunteers serve as ‘guides’ in the
     community, providing information and social contact with the Norwegian population. This
     project has had positive feedback from refugees who, with the help of ‘guides’, were able
     to make friends and contacts more easily, both of which are important for social integration.

14. Family Reunification of Refugees
14.1 Legislation regarding rights and restrictions to family reunification
     There is a distinction between close family members and other family members. Close
     family members are entitled to family reunification if the requirements are met. Other family
     members may be granted family reunification.
     The same requirements need to be met regardless of whether the person living in Norway
     is a resettled refugee or if s/he has been granted asylum after an application from within
     Norway.
     A) Close Family Members
     Norway includes the following persons in the group regarded as close family members.
     These persons are entitled to family reunification if the requirements are met:
     1. Those that are married to, or who are the cohabitant, or registered partner of a
     refugee living in Norway
     The main requirements that apply to married couples and registered partners:
                •   Both parties must be over the age of 18.
                •   If the marriage has taken place after the time of the sponsors entry into
                    Norway, both parties must be over 24 years old when the application is
                    processed. This condition does not apply if the parties married while both
                    had a residence permit or Norwegian/ Nordic citizenship. Exceptions may be
                    made from the condition if it is obvious that the marriage is voluntary.
                •   The marriage must be valid in the applicant’s home country and in Norway
                •   Marriage by proxy, marriage when one of the parties is below the age of 18,
                    and a marriage where one of the parties were already married to another, is
                    not valid in Norway, even if the marriage is valid in the applicant’s home
                    country;

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           •   If the spouse has been married to another person from his/her home
               country, and this person has been granted a family immigration permit to
               Norway, documentation from the authorities in the home country must be
               submitted that states that the marriage is dissolved
           •   The application may be refused if it appears most likely that the main
               purpose of contracting the marriage has been to establish a basis for
               residence in the realm for the applicant
           •   The application may be refused if it appears most likely that the marriage
               has taken place against the will of either party.
           •   Further conditions as set in § 40 of the Immigration Act.
Requirements that apply to cohabitants:
           •   Both parties must be over the age of 18.
           •   If the cohabitation has been established after the time of the sponsors entry
               into Norway both parties must be over 24 years old when the application is
               processed. This condition does not apply when the partnership was
               established in Norway, while both have had a residence permit or
               Norwegian/Nordic citizenship. Exceptions may be made from the
               requirement if it is obvious that the cohabitation is voluntary.
           •   Neither of parties are married to other people
           •   They have already lived together for at least two years. Cohabitation time
               while married to someone else does not count. If they have lived together in
               Norway, the applicant must have had legal residence in Norway during the
               time they have lived together. If they have or are expecting a child together,
               the requirement for two years’ cohabitation does not apply
           •   The refugee is intending to continue living in Norway.
2. Children with one or two parents living in Norway
Requirements of the parents:
           •   Both parents live in Norway and have legal residence there
           •   One of the parents lives in Norway and has sole parental responsibility
           •   One of the parents lives in Norway and the other parent has agreed to let
               the child move to Norway (if they have joint parental responsibility)
           •   If the applicant is an adopted child, the Norwegian Directorate of Children,
               Youth and Family Affairs must have agreed to the adoption before the child
               enters Norway
           •   Further conditions as set in § 42 of the Immigration Act.
3. Parents whose children under the age of 18 live in Norway.
           •   If the child has been granted protection (asylum) in Norway, the applicant
               must live with the child in Norway and have the sole or joint parental
               responsibility for the child.
           •   If the child is a Norwegian citizen, the applicant must live with the child on a
               permanent basis and have parental responsibility for him/her. If the
               applicant is married to or cohabitate with the child’s other parent, the
               applicant must apply for family immigration with his/her spouse or
               cohabitant, not with the child;
           •   If the child has Norwegian citizenship and has lived in another country in
               which the applicant has had access rights and the child moves to Norway to

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